News from the Library of Congress

July 29, 2010

Library’s Packard Campus Celebrates Movie Classics in August

High adventure is the prominent theme of the Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation’s free August film series in Culpeper, Va. Starting Aug. 5, this month’s screenings will also include such cinematic stars as Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Robert De Niro, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Leslie Caron, Nicolas Cage and Dustin Hoffman.

The Packard Campus continues to pay tribute to Bob Hope’s legacy with a showing of his film "Thanks for the Memory" and a photo display chronicling 10 decades of the life of Dolores Hope, who was married to him for nearly 70 years. "Hope for America: Performers, Politics & Pop Culture," which examines the political satire of the legendary comedian, is currently on exhibit in the Bob Hope Gallery of American Entertainment in the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building in Washington, D.C.

Titles from the Library of Congress National Film Registry are also in the lineup. Films named to the registry have been selected for preservation because they are "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant. For more information on the National Film Registry, visit www.loc.gov/film/filmnfr.html.

Programs are preceded by an informative slide presentation about the film, with music selected by the Library’s Recorded Sound Section. Some screenings will also include short subjects before the main feature. Titles are subject to change without notice.

All Packard Campus programs are free and open to the public, but children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. For reservation information, call (540) 827-1079 extension 79994 or (202) 707-9994 during business hours, beginning one week before any given screening. Reservations will be held until 10 minutes before showtime. For further information on the theater and film series, visit www.loc.gov/avconservation/theater/.

The Packard Campus is a state-of-the-art facility where the nation’s library acquires, preserves and provides access to the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of films, television programs, radio broadcasts and sound recordings.

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. It seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

Series Schedule

Thursday, Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m.

"Thanks for the Memory" (Paramount, 1938)In this comedic drama, a struggling novelist living well beyond his means refuses the financial support of his wife. Directed by George Archainbaud, the film stars Bob Hope and Shirley Ross.

Friday, Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m.

"Casablanca" (Warner Bros., 1942)In this classic World War II drama, an American saloon owner in North Africa is drawn into the war effort when his lost love turns up in Casablanca. Named to the National Film Registry in 1989, "Casablanca" was directed by Michael Curtiz. The film stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid and Claude Rains.

Saturday, Aug. 7, 2 p.m.

"The Better ‘Ole" (Warner Bros., 1926)This silent film traces the adventures of Old Bill and his friends Bert and Alf in the trenches during World War I. Directed by Charles Reisner, the film stars Sydney Chaplin, Harold Goodwin and Edgar Kennedy. The restoration of "The Better ‘Ole" was a joint project of the Library of Congress and UCLA and features a re-recorded track with music and effects as well as tinted, color and black & white segments.

Thursday, Aug. 12, 7:30 p.m.

"Midnight Cowboy" (United Artists, 1969, R-rated *)In this drama, a would-be gigolo and an ailing con artist form an unlikely friendship. Named to the National Film Registry in 1994, the film was directed by John Schlesinger. "Midnight Cowboy" stars Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight, Brenda Vacarro and Sylvia Miles.

Friday, Aug. 13, 7:30 p.m.

"Goodfellas" (Warner Bros., 1990, R-rated *)A young man works his way up through the New York City mob. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this crime drama was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2000. "Goodfellas" stars Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci.

Saturday, Aug. 14, 7:30 p.m.

"Pee Wee’s Big Adventure" (Warner Bros., 1985)When his prized bicycle is stolen, a small-town boy searches the country for it. This family adventure was directed by Tim Burton and stars Paul Reubens and Elizabeth Daily.

Thursday, Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m.

"The Constant Nymph" (Warner Bros., 1943)A teenage girl falls in love with a musician, who eventually marries her cousin. Based on the novel by Margaret Kennedy, this drama was directed by Edmund Goulding and stars Joan Fontaine, Charles Boyer and Alexis Smith.

Friday, Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m.

"After the Thin Man" (MGM, 1936)Nick and Nora Charles’ friend Selma is accused of murdering her fiancé. The detective duo investigates the crime to clear her name. Directed by W.S. Van Dyke, this mystery/comedy stars William Powell, Myrna Loy and James Stewart.

Saturday, Aug. 21, 7:30 p.m.

"The Ox-Bow Incident" (20th Century-Fox, 1943)A loner gets caught up in a posse's drive to find and hang three suspected rustlers. Named to the National Film Registry in 1998, this Western drama was directed by William A. Wellman. It stars Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews and Anthony Quinn.

Thursday, Aug. 26, 7:30 p.m.

"Gigi" (MGM, 1958)A Parisian girl is raised to be a rich man’s mistress, but dreams of love and marriage. Directed by Vincente Minnelli, this romantic musical was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1991. "Gigi" stars Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier and Louis Jourdan.

Friday, Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m.

"Wild at Heart" (PolyGram, 1990, R-rated *)Two lovers trek to California while being pursued by a hit man. David Lynch directed this romantic thriller. The film stars Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern and Willem Dafoe.

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2 p.m.

"The Journey of Natty Gann" (Disney, 1985)During the Great Depression, a teenage girl leaves Chicago to search for her father who traveled West to find work. During her journey, she meets a friendly wolf and a young man who protects her. Directed by Jeremy Kagan, this family adventure stars Meredith Salenger and John Cusack.

* No one under 17 will be admitted without a parent or an adult guardian.